AR is in my future...some questions..

[zepphound]

I've decided on building an AR and getting the M1a at a future date. I have a few questions that I'm not too clear on. First...The lower is the only portion that requires a FFL.....correct? Can I have all the other parts (upper, stock) sent directly to my house?

Here's a couple more....I plan on buying a complete upper and a complete lower with trigger, minus the stock. What else will I need to complete the rifle and attach both halves? What tools, parts, etc.? Also...when I buy a stock (probably Magpul CTR) does it come with all parts needed to affix to rifle (tube, spring?)? Thanks alot for any help.

 

[BozemanMT]

Yes
the lower only requires an FFL, the upper is just machine parts.
to put the two halves together requires pushing in two pins (which come with the lower)
takes literally 2 seconds.

 

[wdlsguy]

As far as BATFE is concerned, the stripped lower is the firearm.

 

[MHBushmaster]

You will need a buttstock and to go inside your buttstock is need:
a buffer tube (if you go with an A2 stock, you will need the buffer tube extension which may come included or it may not)
a buffer spring
a rifle length buffer.

Model 1 sales has an exploded view of the buttstock and all the parts that go in it.

For an A2, you literally screw in the buffer tube to the back of the lower receiver, no tools necessary for that, you then insert the buffer spring and then the buffer is last and it is held in place (the spring tension will want to make it shoot out: and make sure the lower is cocked so that the hammer is under tensioin otherwise the buffer spring and buffer will not align up with the buffer tube for insertion) on the little pin that protrudes from the threads on back of the lower receiver. the buffer tube extension goes on next then the buttstock slides over the buffer tube and little extension and mates up with the lower receiver and is screwed in with 1 screw into the buffer extension at the top part of the buttstock (flat head screw driver needed). that is it.
Make sure your complete upper comes with a charging handle and bolt/bolt carrier complete. It would suck to get the barreld upper, the lower + Fire control group and get the buttstock all assembled to realize that you dont have a charging handler nor bolt and bolt carrier.

 

[10-Ring]

There are a lot of quality manufacturers that cater to the AR market so you should be able to build a nice rifle. It's a fun journey Enjoy yourself